Flexible bracelet



Aug; 14, 1928.

' A. L. NEWMAN ET AL FLEXIBLE BRACELET Filed Nov. 6, 1925 Patented Aug. 14, 1928.

umrizn sures" ISLAND, nssrenons, BY MESNE Assmmssr mo A: L. NEWMAN COMPANY, or" cms'ron, mronn' ISLAND; A CORPORATION or RHODEILA-N'D.

rnnimnn BRACELET.

Application filed November 6, '19za.- S'erIaLHo. 673, 059;

This invention relates to articles of jewell-y and; particularly to improvements in flexible bracelets of the so-called box-link type.

One object of theimprovement to roandlsubstantial in a pearance. I A

Another object o the improvement is to prov de a bracelet which,. while. being flexible to accommodate itself to the wrist ofthe wearer, will be proof againstxlateral displacement or mis alinement of the links,

Another object'of the improvement is to provide a braceleti of neater and more ornamental appearance without unsightly joints or connections between itsparts.

Another object of the improvement is to render the; device simple in". construction and economical to manufacture by the usual stamping processes.

Further objects of theimprovement are set; forth in the following" specification. which describes a preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying -drawings. In the drawings: 1

Fig; 1 is a perspective view of a complete bracelet embodying. one form of the invention; Fig. 2, a magnified perspective view of one of the link-members ofthe bracelet;v

Fig. 3, an enlarged-bottom plan view of several of the connected linksof the bracelet, showingtwo of said links in section on the line 3+3 of Fig. 2; p

Fig. 4, an enlar ed erspective view showingv the shaped t e s eet metal blank from which the link is formed; 7

Fig, 5, asimilar perspective' view showing the/blank partly formed; and

Fig; 6, a similar view of the completely formedblank shown with its-"bottomz sideup.

The present improvement is directed to a bracelet or other article of' jewelry comprising: a series of box-like link-members. which areihing'edo1: pivotally. connected together i to forma flexible chain. The link-members 2 are preferably struck up from sheet-metal in: hollow box-like form andmay be of rectangular shape, as showninFig. -2, :andornamented' on their surface withengraving,

embossing,chasin v on b iercin throu h the metal. Inotlihr casei s the box -membe rs or hnksmay be set with imitation or precious stones or embellished in any other suitable manner. h I V l Fi 1' shows the complete bracelet with the links thereof joined together in a chain, and usuallyi a suitable clasp is provided for connecting. the terminals of the chain As the clasp may he ofanyilisnal: construction it is not herein shown or described in detailL ThelinksQ of the brace-j let are formed frorn sheet metal blanks of the shape shown in detail in Fig; 4. Ashere illustrated the blank 3 consists ofa fiat rectangular strip of metal4 having integral lateral Wings on tabs 5-5"extend1ngfroin' its longitudinal edges.- The wings 5 have arcuateextensions t'-Giat either side, while their ends are formed withcircular'ears 7 -7 which are pierced to provide holes 8--8 f for the hinge-pins or pivots by means; of which the-links are connected togethe'r.- The inainstrip 4ofthe blank extends beyondthe ends of the lateral wings 5 in a bifiircated tab-portion 9" adapted to be curled around in 'a 100 to receive tlie'pivot pin of an adja cent lin ir. The w'ings5-5, 'while integral with the main strip 4', are 'definedtherefrom by a scored grooveor' crease 10'to' adapt 7 them to be bent up atright-angles to main s'tii 4 t fbrm theop'p'osite parallelsides: of t "e link, A groove or indentation 11 also defines the ar'euat'e tabs '6 from the side win s '5 to provide" for bendingthe'tabs over to orm-the bottom-of thelink' in the manner and forthe purpose as later explained. I

Referringnow to Fig. 5, the wings '5 are bent upwardlyfi-om the main portion of the stript to form thetwo sides of the link; as shown more particularly in Fig. 6. The end tab 9 is then bent ,upwardly and curled around in a loop 12 with its bifurcated end 13 extendinm'horizontally between the sides 5- 5 o f the link The arci ateezitensions or tabs 6 are next bent down or folded along their scored grooves 11 so that they overlie the bifurcated: portion 13 of the tab 9,'a s shown in Fig. 6 and also at the right in Fig.3. The two legs of the bifurcated portion-130i the tab 9 are thilsheld inplace by (gen the side tabs 6 and the cut-out portion be tween the legs makes for a neater appearance on the bottom of the link.

It will be noted from Figs. 2 and 6 that the ears 7 project from the end of the sides 5 of the link in vertical relation to the main strip 4 which, as will be understood, forms the top of the link. At the opposite end of the link the loop' port-ion 12of the tab 9 cooperates with the ends of the sides 5 to provide a circular opening for the connecting hinge-pin for the links; it being noted that the edges of the sides 5 are cut away or recessed at 14 on a curve coinciding with that of the ears 7 at the opposite end of the link.

The manner of assembling the completed links to form the bracelet is as follows: The looped tab 12 at the end of one link is inserted between the projecting ears 7 at the end of the next adjacent link so that the holes 8 will come into alinement with the opening through the loop. A pin 15 is then inserted through the alined holes and its ends rivetted or swaged over on the outside of the ears 7. Preferably, the hinge-pin 15 for the links is made of tubular stock so that it may be constructed of'relatively large diameter while yet being light in weight. This provides enlarged pivot bearings for the pin in the loops 12, thus making the bearing surfaces ample to resist wear. This construction also provides a stiffer, stronger connection between the links to guard against the parts becoming loose and shackly from wear.

It is to be noted that the curved edges of the ears 7 on One link are proportioned to fit snugly within the curved depressions 14 in the edges of the sides 5 of the next adjacent link in the series. That is to say, the ears 7 form the end hearings to take the thrust of the links toward each other, while the end thrust in the opposite direction, that is the stretching pull on the links, is taken by the pins 15 bearing within the looped portions 12 of the end tabs 9. Through this arrangement each link is caused to bear against its adjacent link at points on its opposite sides so that there can be no unwarranted play or loss-motion between the links when they are assembled in the bracelet. Stated briefly, one link braces the next against lateral play or twisting movement, and in this way all of the links are maintained in alinement and the whole structure rendered stronger and less liable to distortion.

It will be observed from the foregoing description that the present invention provides a particularly simple and neat construction for the mechanical elements of the bracelet, which not only makes for a more artistic and finished effect in the article but also renders it more substantial in appearance and durable in use. The links of the bracelet may be manufactured most economically by striking them up from sheetmetal and forming them in suitable dies, and in connecting the links in the chain or bracelet no soldering is required so that the cost of manufacture is reduced to a minimum.

Various modifications may be made in the form and structure of the parts of the improved bracelet without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention; therefore, without limiting ourselves to the exact embodiment herein shown and described, we claim:

' 1. An article of jewelry comprising a series of box-like link-members each having a top and opposite parallel sides, the sides of the link being provided with curved ears pierced with openings, said ears made integral with andprojecting from one end of the'link and recesses at the opposite end of the link, to adapt the links to be assembled with the ears of one link received in the recesses of the next adjacent link, an integral tab formed into a loop at the recessed end of the link, and a pin inserted through the openings in the ears and through the loop to hingedly connect the links in the chain.

2. In a bracelet or like article of jewelry, the combination of a plurality of box-like link-members each having a relatively flat top and opposite parallel sides, circular ears formed integral with and projecting from the sides at one end of the link and pierced with holes, circular recesses in the sides at the opposite end of the link, a tab extending from the top of the link and curled around in a loop arranged substantially concentric with the recesses in the sides of the link, and a tubular hinge-pin inserted through the pierced holes in the ears of one link and through the loop at the end of the next link to join the links together in a flexible chain.

3. In an article of the type specified, the combination of a plurality of box-like linkmeinbers formed from sheet-metal blanks having a longitudinal top strip with side wings bent at right angles thereto, the ends of the sides being provided with circular ears pierced with openings and the top strip of the link extending in a tab bent into a loop with its end projecting between the sides of the link, and a pivot-pin inserted through the openings in the cars at the end of one link and through the loop at the end of an adjacent link to connect the links in a chain.

4. In an article of the type specified, the combination of a plurality of box-like linkmembers formed'from sheet-metal blanks, said blanks having a relatively fiat top strip with wings projecting from its sides and arcuate extensions projecting from the lateral edges of the wings, said wings bent at rightangles to the top strip and the arcuate exlit tensions folded at right-angles thereto in parallel relation with the top strip, said wings also formed with circular ears projecting at one end of the link and provided with holes, the opposite ends of the sides of the link being provided with curved edges adapted to register with the circular edges of the ears on an adjacent link, a tab extending from the top strip of the link and curled around in a loop projecting from the end of the link with its extremity inserted beneath the folded arcuate extensions on the sides of the link, and hinge-pins inserted through the ears at the end of one link and through the loop at the end of an adjacent link to connect the links together in a chain.

In testimony whereof We aflix our signatures.

ALMYR L. NEWMAN. OSCAR R. MITCHELL. 

